Predictably, the accusation is made by Peter Tatchell, the other public figure whose overblown rhetoric we tend to distrust. In the always-quotable Mr. Tatchell's words: "Respect has betrayed progressive Muslims, in favour of an alliance with Islamist conservatives and fundamentalists whose policies on gay and women’s rights are even more reactionary than those of the despicable neo-Nazi BNP."

Is this fair? Is this even true?

Oh wait! You weren't actually planning to vote for Respect anyway, were you?